Predictors of HIV testing among men who have sex with men: a focus on men living outside major urban centres in Canada

ABSTRACT

Men who have sex with men (MSM) represent almost half of new HIV infections in Canada each year. However, the vast majority of research on HIV testing among MSM has been conducted in major urban centres. The present study addressed this gap by investigating HIV testing behaviour and predictors of HIV testing among MSM living outside major urban centres, in the Interior of British Columbia. An anonymous online survey of 153 MSM assessed HIV testing behaviour and psychosocial factors that may impact HIV testing (internalized homophobia, disclosure to healthcare providers (HCPs) of same sex attraction, and gay community involvement). Almost one-quarter (24%) had never been tested and over one-third (35%) had not disclosed same sex attraction to HCPs. Internalized homophobia was associated with a lower likelihood of HIV testing, and this relationship was partially explained by the fact that those high in internalized homophobia were less likely to disclose same sex attraction to their HCPs. Neither formal nor informal involvement in the gay community was related to HIV testing, and both types of involvement were relatively low in our sample. Further research is needed to better understand the distinctive health issues facing MSM living outside major urban centres.

KEYWORDS:

• HIV testing
• internalized homophobia
• men who have sex with men
• disclosure
• Canada

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to extend their sincere thanks to the men who participated in our online survey and to the Living Positive Resource Centre, Okanagan, for their critical role in initiating this project. The authors would also like to express gratitude to Hilla Lacks and Karly Drabot for their assistance with data management on this project.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Conflicts of interest

The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Additional information

Funding

This work was funded by a grant from the UBC Okanagan Institute for Healthy Living and Chronic Disease Prevention.